Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries
139 episodes - English - Latest episode: 5 months ago - ★★★★★ - 56 ratingsTwo friends, Austin and Brenda, delve into the rich history of secret nerd mysteries near and dear to their hearts in their own loose, light-hearted way. If you've ever wondered "Why Saturday morning for cartoons?" or "How come Chuck E. Cheese cares so much about other people's birthdays?", this is the show for you!
Homepage Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS feed
Episodes
Gunpei Yokoi: The Father of Handheld Gaming
February 13, 2024 14:30 - 57 minutes - 52.9 MBWhen people mention famous figures from Nintendo, they often bring up Shigeru Miyamoto, Satoru Iwata, or even Masahiro Sakurai. However, without Gunpei Yokoi, the world of video gaming would be vastly different. From designing the toys that made Nintendo famous, to introducing the masses to handheld gaming, Gunpei Yokoi's many contributions to the industry are still felt to this day.
What Makes Disney Fireworks Special?
February 06, 2024 14:30 - 52 minutes - 48 MBThe Walt Disney theme parks are well-known for their dazzling nightly fireworks extravaganzas, but what most people don't know is that this company, who purchases more explosives per year than many militaries, has gone extra lengths to ensure that their fireworks are not only spectacular, but that they cannot be copied by other theme parks.
100th Episode Centennial Celebration
January 30, 2024 14:30 - 46 minutes - 42.4 MBThis episode's a little different mystorians! Austin and Brenda celebrate 100 episodes of SHONM by answering a couple listener questions, sharing some favorite moments, and just overall reminiscing about the good times. Thanks for going on this ride with us! Here's to 100 more!
No New Episode This Week
January 23, 2024 14:30 - 13 seconds - 204 KBThis week, SHONM is taking part in the global strike for Palestine. We understand that not everyone is able to participate in the strike, so please check out our socials for more information and for resources on how you can help. Episode 100 will be released next Tuesday!
Is Snoopy Mexican?
January 16, 2024 14:30 - 48 minutes - 44.8 MBIs the lovable beagle from Charles M. Schulz's beloved comic strip "Peanuts" actually Mexican? The answer is more complicated than you think. And also more straight forward than you would expect. And also what you feel is true in your heart.
Dawn of the Cartoon Commercial
January 09, 2024 14:30 - 49 minutes - 45.4 MBWhen Mattel premiered their Hot Wheels cartoon in the 1960's in order to promote their latest line of toys, they had no way of knowing that they had just opened a can of worms that would change the landscape of children's programming forever, for better or for worse.
The Death of Woodsy Owl
January 02, 2024 14:30 - 52 minutes - 48.5 MBIn 1971, the USDA Forest Service Introduced Woodsy Owl, the anti-pollution owl, in an attempt to educate the masses about environmentalism. Little did they know at the time, but his legacy would end in flames. This is a story featuring potential federal crimes, pants-wearing bears, and job-stealing owls. This is the story, of the death of Woodsy Owl. Featuring Music By Louie Zhong/Snake Pool: snakepool.bandcamp.com twitter.com/everydaylouie For more Woodsy, Brenda made a Youtube ...
Where are the Puppets from Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer?
December 19, 2023 14:30 - 54 minutes - 49.5 MBWhen Rankin/Bass' "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer" was released in 1964, no one who worked on it had any idea that it would become a Christmas tradition and a lasting part of American culture. Because of this, the stop motion puppets used to make the film were lost, their exact whereabouts a mystery...until now.
The Rise and Return of the McNugget Buddies
December 12, 2023 14:30 - 50 minutes - 45.9 MBAs late entries to the McDonaldland canon, the Mcnugget buddies are characters that have been mostly lost to time. But, back in the 80's, they were the shining star of McDonald's menu, and the food they were based on helped save the restaurant during a time when American's were becoming more health conscious. Today, they've been brought back for a new celebrity collaboration, but will it be as successful as McDonald's 2022 Adult Happy Meal?
What started the Trading Card Game Industry?
December 05, 2023 14:30 - 53 minutes - 48.9 MBThere's an intense resale market surrounding trading card games, but where did that get its start, and why is it so addictive to open these packs of little paper cards? This is a story that dates back to the early 1900's, with baseball cards and the early stages of the speculative market.
Return to Neopets
November 28, 2023 14:30 - 59 minutes - 54.2 MBMuch has happened in the world of Neopets lately. From its parent company shutting down, to new ownership, new promises and a new baffling choice for a brand ambassador, Neopets seems to finally be making a push into the modern era. But will Y2k nostalgia be enough to keep the struggling brand alive? Plus, Austin shares what it's like playing Neopets for the first time ever in 2023.
The Origin of Narrative in Video Games
November 21, 2023 14:30 - 54 minutes - 50 MBFrom the dawn of gaming, people have wanted to use the medium to tell stories in new and inventive ways. But what game is the origin of this? Was it Final Fantasy with its character customization, or Final Fantasy 7 with its groundbreaking cutscenes? Was it Donkey Kong whose simple story has captivated gamers for decades? Or does it go back even further than that? Zorp zorp zorp zorp zorp
Sally Corp - How Did Sally Corp Reinvent the Dark Ride?
November 14, 2023 14:30 - 54 minutes - 50 MBFor decades, the Walt Disney Company had the theme park market cornered, creating cutting-edge animatronics and immersive ride experiences for their own parks. That was, until a small company from Jacksonville Florida, who got their start making moving mannequins for museum and store displays, threw their hat into the ring. Sally Corporation might have gotten their start making Chuck E. Cheese copycats, but they have managed to create a ride system capable of bringing polished experiences ...
Barney - Why do People Hate Barney?
November 07, 2023 14:35 - 53 minutes - 49 MBWhen mother Sheryl Leach set out to create a new type of children's entertainment for her son, she had no idea how big her creation would get, or how much people would grow to despise it. This episode goes through the inception of the Barney character, highlights the men who brought him to life, and explores the unbelievable amount of hate that the character received from fully grown adults, a form of hate that is all too common on the modern internet.
Bratz - Why did Bratz Dolls Disappear?
November 07, 2023 14:30 - 1 hour - 64.2 MBBratz, the popular fashion doll line, was once one of the top-selling fashion doll brands in the world, but then they suddenly disappeared from store shelves. Find out what was happening behind the scenes at toy company MGA, and learn the details of the decade long legal battle they've been embroiled with against Barbie's creator, Mattel.
Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries: Episode 88: SHoNM Goes to the Movies #17 Blues Clues Big City Adventure
December 07, 2022 08:00 - 1 hour - 77.8 MBHosts Austin and Brenda connect with their inner child by watching the newest Paramount + release “Blues Clues Big City Adventure”. It’s a movie for kids! But it also has a lot of heart and a lot of nostalgia. Also, Warner Bros Discovery is getting sued by the state of Ohio.
Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries: Episode 88: SHoNM Goes to the Movies #17 Blues Clues Big City Adventure
December 07, 2022 08:00 - 1 hourHosts Austin and Brenda connect with their inner child by watching the newest Paramount + release “Blues Clues Big City Adventure”. It’s a movie for kids! But it also has a lot of heart and a lot of nostalgia. Also, Warner Bros Discovery is getting sued by the state of Ohio. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries: Episode 87: Goosebumps
November 23, 2022 18:58 - 1 hour - 73.5 MBThis week your host Brenda takes you on a deep dive into the history of the second highest selling children’s book franchises in history: Goosebumps, the brainchild of writer RL Stein. This episode features haunted masks, childhood traumas, lost media, and yes, another heated legal battle. Listener beware, you’re in for a scare!
Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries: Episode 86: Harley Quinn
October 25, 2022 18:53 - 1 hour - 79.7 MBFull disclosure, this episode was so much fun for your host Brenda to edit. And if that wasn't enough of an incentive to listen, it’s about Harley Quinn! We promise it’s good, so please listen. Thanks!
Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries: Episode 85: SHoNM Goes to the Movies #16 PREY
October 11, 2022 21:38 - 1 hour - 68.7 MBSince we took a week off, there is LOT of news to cover...but fear not...we’re here to weigh in on Lesbian Velma, Try Guys and Adult Happy Meal News. After that hosts Brenda and Austin talk about the 2022 Predator Prequel “Prey”. What did your host Austin, self-professed "big-fan-of-the-Predator-franchise" think of it? Listen and find out!
Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries: Episode 84: Rainbow Brite
September 22, 2022 21:41 - 1 hour - 83.7 MBBuckle in for a fairly long news segment this week, Mystorians! We had the Emmys! We had D23! We had the passing of a prolific world leader! Wowie! To cool things down a bit, your host Brenda brought a shorter topic this week, Hallmark’s answer to Strawberry Shortcake...Rainbow Brite!
Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries: Episode 83: The Predator
September 07, 2022 16:37 - 1 hourAfter sharing one tiny scrap of good news, and talking about the latest Pokémon updates, your host Austin shares the story behind one of their guilty pleasure franchises: The Predator. Have you ever wanted to know how they achieved that invisible cloaking effect? Or what the experience was like for the actor inside the iconic Predator suit? Perhaps you've lost sleep agonizing over what the Predator’s glowing blood was made of? If you answered "Yes!" to any of the above (or even if you didn...
Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries: Episode 83: The Predator
September 07, 2022 16:37 - 1 hour - 71.5 MBAfter sharing one tiny scrap of good news, and talking about the latest Pokémon updates, your host Austin shares the story behind one of their guilty pleasure franchises: The Predator. Have you ever wanted to know how they achieved that invisible cloaking effect? Or what the experience was like for the actor inside the iconic Predator suit? Perhaps you've lost sleep agonizing over what the Predator’s glowing blood was made of? If you answered "Yes!" to any of the above (or even if you did...
Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries: Episode 82: What the Heck is Going on With Warner Bros? (and some mail bag questions)
August 24, 2022 01:41 - 1 hour - 65 MBIn this very special return episode, hosts Austin and Brenda try to make sense of exactly what Warner Bros. Discovery is doing these days; from canceling almost completely finished projects, to pulling dozens of cartoons from HBO Max with little warning, things seem pretty dire. To lighten the mood a bit, Austin and Brenda answer a couple of questions from, you, the audience!
Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries: Episode 81: Neopets
June 15, 2022 01:00 - 1 hour - 77.7 MBBrenda is here to talk about the 1999 virtual pet website, Neopets, a subject that is near and dear to their heart. Austin, meanwhile, knows very little about Neopets. This is a story of controversial advertising and even more controversial religion. It's about what happens when a website's existence is stretched out too long. NFTs, black market scams, and sweet Armaldo Lewis (Brenda’s starving Neopet) who just really wants a bit of jelly from the jelly world that may or may not exist. I...
Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries: Episode 80: SHoNM Goes to the Movies #15 Sonic The Hedgehog 2 (aka Hedgie Wedgie Dos)
June 02, 2022 02:03 - 1 hour - 77.2 MBYou voted and we delivered. Hosts Austin and Brenda are here to talk about the 2022 box office hit, Sonic the Hedgehog 2. Has the curse of video game movies finally been broken? Do video game movies just get to be good now? And what do our hosts think the future of the franchise holds?
Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries: Episode 79: Arcades
May 18, 2022 01:33 - 1 hour - 81.3 MBToday, Austin is here to talk about arcades and to answer the age-old question, just what is an arcade anyway? Is it a state of being, a laundromat? What was the first arcade machine, and what is the highest selling arcade machine of all time? What city in the United States declared itself the “gaming capital of the world”? Find out the answers to these questions and more!
Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries: Ep. 78: McDonaldland
May 03, 2022 16:32 - 1 hour - 74.6 MBThis week we’re talking about McDonaldland, the wacky world that McDonald mascot Ronald McDonald and his friends inhabit. Learn about the evolution of the Hamburgler from "Lone Jogger" to weirdly sexy dad. Witness the details of yet another corporate lawsuit. And once again fear the unhinged visage of Ronald McDonald’s terrifying clown dog Sundae.
Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries: Ep. 77: Turning Red
April 20, 2022 01:34 - 1 hour - 97.8 MBThis episode sure is a big one, so hang in there. Your host Brenda is also incredibly caffeinated, don’t worry about it, it’s fine. On this episode, Hosts Austin and Brenda talk about Pixar’s latest feature length film, Turning Red, a coming-of-age story about a preteen girl named Meilin who, upon the onset of furry puberty, starts turning into a Red Panda when her emotions get charged. It’s a story about growing up, and love, and so much more. Join us as we talk about this groundbreaking...
Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries: Ep. 76: Toonami
March 30, 2022 02:03 - 1 hour - 80.1 MBWhat’s up gamers!? After a news segment where hosts Austin and Brenda try to parse the existence of furry Xbox controllers to promote Sonic 2, Austin has prepared an episode about Toonami! This late '90’s action programming block ran on Cartoon Network, where it brought animation to an older audience and introduced a whole generation to Gundam, Dragonball Z and…Hamtaro?
Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries: Ep. 75: The Cultural Impact of Star Wars feat. Heather Antos
March 14, 2022 20:30 - 1 hour - 65.7 MBThis week we have a special treat for you, Mystorians! Heather Antos, senior editor at IDW and professional penguin enthusiast joins us today to talk about how a little story that takes place in a galaxy far, far away has changed the landscape of pop culture, and society forever.
Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries: Ep. 74. SHoNM Goes to the Movies #13: Megamind
March 02, 2022 00:23 - 1 hour - 82.9 MB"Goes to the Movies" is back, and Austin and Brenda are here to talk about the 2010 Dreamworks animated movie, Megamind. While overshadowed by the releases of How to Train Your Dragon and Shrek Forever After in the same year, Megamind delivers an incredibly poignant, clever, witty, and funny take on the superhero genre, and makes a powerful statement about what it means to be a hero. It’s good. Please watch it.
Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries: Ep. 73 Disney Quest
February 16, 2022 08:00 - 1 hour - 74.7 MBBrenda is here with the topic today, and the topic is the Walt Disney Company’s massive indoor interactive adventure flop...Disney Quest. Once the pillar of Disney’s regional entertainment division, Disney Quest was opened in Orlando with very little fanfare, and was left to rot for most of its lifetime. What was considered cutting edge in 1998, was definitely not cutting edge in 2017.
Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries: Ep. 72 KB Toys
February 02, 2022 17:16 - 1 hourAustin is here to talk about the rise and fall of the “toy store in the mall” KB Toys. While Toys R Us was just a twinkle in its founder’s eye, KB toys was creating the modern toy store, moving into malls and developing unique strategies to make it stand out. But after several business mishaps and a stinky leveraged buyout, KB Toys would find itself struggling to make it through the 2000s. Does this story have a happy ending? No! Does Brenda bring up Mitt Romney an obnoxious number of ti...
Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries: Ep. 72 KB Toys
February 02, 2022 17:16 - 1 hour - 73.4 MBAustin is here to talk about the rise and fall of the “toy store in the mall” KB Toys. While Toys R Us was just a twinkle in its founder’s eye, KB toys was creating the modern toy store, moving into malls and developing unique strategies to make it stand out. But after several business mishaps and a stinky leveraged buyout, KB Toys would find itself struggling to make it through the 2000s. Does this story have a happy ending? No! Does Brenda bring up Mitt Romney an obnoxious number of t...
Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries: Ep. 71 Mailbag #2
January 19, 2022 08:00 - 1 hour - 60.5 MBHello everyone! What a long break we had. This episode has a couple announcements about the podcast going forward, and then Brenda and Ausin answer more user submitted questions? What is the wildest comic storyline we’ve read? What color unicorn would we have, and would we be able to eat it? Who would win, Ash Ketchum, or Tai from Digimon? All these questions answered, and more!
Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries: Ep. 70 SHoNM Goes to the Movies #12 We’re Back: A Dinosaur’s Story
December 01, 2021 08:00 - 51 minutes - 47.7 MBThis is a shorter episode this week, but is no less jam packed. This week, Austin and Brenda cover We’re Back: A Dinosaur’s Story, a 1993 animated movie produced by Steven Spielberg and animated by Amblimation. This is a movie that hits the ground running and doesn’t let up. Whether that's good or bad, you decide. Brenda’s fake crying in this episode really worried her parents. Oops!
Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries: Ep. 69 History of Fanfiction
November 24, 2021 08:00 - 1 hour - 77.9 MBEpisode 69 (nice) sees Brenda dive into the history of fanfiction, an often maligned and misunderstood art form. How did fanfiction get its start? What writer is notorious for sending DMCAs to their fans for creating fan works? Find out the connection between fanfiction and Russian journalists trying to find a place where they express themselves freely. And finally, are all fanfics really just horny wish-fulfillment? All this and more on a very special episode!
Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries: Ep. 68 Wishbone
November 17, 2021 08:00 - 1 hour - 71.5 MBHe’s a little dog with a big imagination and a thirst for knowledge. Childhood friend or undefeated eldritch creature? Find out, on this week’s episode featuring the 90’s PBS kids show: Wishbone!
Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries: Ep. 67 SHoNM Goes to the Movies #11 Cinderella 3: Tower of Terror / Hocus Pocus
October 27, 2021 07:00 - 1 hour - 78.2 MBDid you know that there was a movie based on the Disney ride Tower of Terror? Host Brenda knew (because of course she did). This month on Goes to the Movies, Host Austin and Host Brenda talk about two Disney Halloween movies, Tower of Terror and Hocus Pocus.
Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries: Ep. 66 Hanna-Barbera
October 20, 2021 07:00 - 1 hour - 75.3 MBAnimal crossing fans, thou are eating well. Hope you are having fun on your island. Brenda is here to talk about once prolific animation studio Hanna-Barbera, who not only created beloved characters like Scooby Doo and the Flintstones (and Brenda’s favorite Top Cat) but revolutionized television animation as we know it.
Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries: Ep. 65 Gargoyles
October 13, 2021 07:00 - 1 hour - 85.3 MBThis episode starts off with Brenda and Austin workshopping a revolutionary new kind of beer, “Possum Pee”, a warm apply concoction with notes of dead leaves. After that we dive into Disney’s first foray into serious gritty cartoon world-building with “Gargoyles” a cartoon about ancient gargoyles that are cursed to be stone by day and alive at night, and also, they’re in New York now.
Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries: Ep. 65 Gargoyles
October 13, 2021 07:00 - 1 hourThis episode starts off with Brenda and Austin workshopping a revolutionary new kind of beer, “Possum Pee”, a warm apply concoction with notes of dead leaves. After that we dive into Disney’s first foray into serious gritty cartoon world-building with “Gargoyles” a cartoon about ancient gargoyles that are cursed to be stone by day and alive at night, and also, they’re in New York now. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries: Ep. 64 Muppet Vision 3D
October 06, 2021 07:00 - 1 hour - 85.6 MBHey everyone, we are BACK. First off, we have to talk about Crisp Rat as Mario, and then Brenda deep dives right into the history of one of Jim Henson’s final projects: The Disney Hollywood Studios attraction Muppet Vision 3D. We talk about Pizza Rats (not the one you’re thinking), have many references to undisclosed amounts of money, and how kind of weird it is that we all just accept that Muppets are real, and they interact with people now. It’s fine. Don’t worry about it!
Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries: Ep. 64 Muppet Vision 3D
October 06, 2021 07:00 - 1 hourHey everyone, we are BACK. First off, we have to talk about Crisp Rat as Mario, and then Brenda deep dives right into the history of one of Jim Henson’s final projects: The Disney Hollywood Studios attraction Muppet Vision 3D. We talk about Pizza Rats (not the one you’re thinking), have many references to undisclosed amounts of money, and how kind of weird it is that we all just accept that Muppets are real, and they interact with people now. It’s fine. Don’t worry about it! Learn more a...
Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries: Ep. 63 SHoNM Goes to the Movies Mini #4 - Labyrinth feat. Femsplained
September 29, 2021 07:00 - 1 hour - 58.6 MBAustin has returned and is here to talk about the Jim Henson film Labyrinth with Diana and Avalon of Femsplained! Gaslight, Girlboss, Goblin King!
Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries: Ep. 62: SHoNM Goes to the Movies Mini #3 - Clue feat. Michael (Doc)
September 22, 2021 07:00 - 41 minutes - 38.1 MBBrenda had surgery, but before that happened, she sat down with Michael (Doc) and talked about the murder mystery whodunnit from 1985, Clue, a massive financial flop that has managed to gain a cult following.
Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries: Ep. 61 SHoNM Goes to the Movies Mini #2 - Yu-Gi-Oh, The Dark Side of Dimensions feat. Colton
September 15, 2021 07:00 - 1 hour - 78.7 MBBrenda is still flying solo, and this time she’s brought fellow podcaster Colton from Manga Mavericks and One Podcast Prevails to talk about Yu-Gi-Oh The Dark Side of Dimensions, a movie released in 2016 to celebrate twenty years of Yu-Gi-Oh. Colton knows a lot about Yu-Gi-Oh. Brenda knows a little about Yu-Gi-Oh and originally thought this was a crossover movie. Brenda also thought this was episode 62, so there's that.
Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries: Ep. 60 SHoNM Goes to the Moves Mini #1 Words Bubble Up Like Soda Pop feat. Paloma
September 08, 2021 07:00 - 45 minutes - 41.8 MBAustin is out on baby leave, so Brenda has been given free rein to do whatever she pleases, and that involves inviting her good friend Paloma to talk about “Words Bubble Up Like Soda Pop” a 2020 anime movie that both hosts give 11 out of 10.
Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries: Ep.59 SHoNM Goes to the Movies #10 Space Jam 2: A New Legacy & THE Suicide Squad
August 25, 2021 07:00 - 1 hour - 80.7 MBHey everyone! How do you like that new intro for “Goes to the Movies”? We think it’s pretty swell. Once Brenda’s done dunking on Wendy’s breakfast, our two intrepid hosts tackle Space Jam 2, trying to unravel its complex lore, trying to figure out if Don Cheadle exists as a person in this universe, trying to forget that Rick & Morty have spoken lines in this film. Following that is THE Suicide Squad. We talk about Shark. We talk about Rat. We talk about the other rat (Weasel). It’s a...